1768 Virginia estate with ties to George Washington’s family set for auction

The 35-acre estate at 159 Fairfield Lane in Berryville, Va., which has ties to George Washington’s family, will be auctioned on May 25. (TruPlace)

The opportunity to own a pre-Revolutionary War estate with ties to George Washington is rare. In its nearly 250 years, the Fairfield estate in Berryville, Va., has been owned by just three families, and now the property will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Built about 1768 by Washington’s first cousin, Warner Washington, the main house now has more than 8,000 square feet of living space with seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, eight fireplaces and some of the original Colonial cabinetry and woodwork. An English basement has a brick fireplace, a beamed ceiling and a bar.

The 35-acre estate includes two rental cottages, a summer cabin, a smokehouse, a garage/workshop and a greenhouse. The grounds include a stream, stone walls, a stone bridge, boxwoods, mature trees and four levels of terraces. About 25 percent of the property is used to produce hay.

Fairfield’s land was surveyed by George Washington, and he and his family were visitors to the estate. Anne Lee Page, the sister of Virginia Gov. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee and aunt of Gen. Robert E. Lee, was the second owner. Since the estate was purchased by John Richardson in 1830, the Georgian-style stone manor has remained with the same family.

The property is at 159 Fairfield Lane in Berryville in Clarke County, approximately 75 minutes from the District.

The buyer will need to pay a deposit of 10 percent of the winning bid or a minimum of $50,000 in guaranteed funds. The owners require a 30-day closing and are selling the house in an as-is condition. There is an undisclosed minimum bid required.

Previews of the property and the grounds will take place Sunday as well as on May 13 and 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. The auction will take place May 25 at noon.

For more information, click here or contact Jeff Stein of Tranzon Auction at 888-621-2110 or 703-539-8111.

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